Alijah Arenas, the highly anticipated freshman guard for USC, faced significant challenges during his long-awaited debut on January 25, 2024, against Northwestern. After a lengthy recovery from a serious knee injury, Arenas struggled to make an impact, contributing only eight points in a 74-68 loss. This defeat dropped the Trojans to 14-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten conference.
Despite playing 29 minutes, Arenas had a difficult shooting night, hitting just 3 of 15 attempts from the field, including a dismal 0 for 6 from beyond the arc. His performance at the free-throw line was similarly disappointing, as he converted only 2 of 6 attempts. In addition to his scoring, Arenas recorded two rebounds and two assists, but the overall impact was muted.
Career-Defining Moments
Arenas’s debut came after a tumultuous year marked by a serious car accident in April 2023, which left him in an induced coma due to smoke inhalation. The crash, which involved his vehicle striking a tree, did not result in major injuries beyond the subsequent knee issue that required surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Following a six-day hospital stay, the 6-foot-6 player was eager to return to the court.
One month before his debut, Coach Eric Musselman expressed optimism about Arenas’s recovery and integration into the team. “It was great to have him back with the rest of the guys,” Musselman stated after Arenas’s first practice. “He’s got such a great basketball IQ and brings a tremendous amount of energy. It looked like he had been a part of practice for quite some time.”
Looking Ahead
Arenas, the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, was a standout player at Chatsworth High School and earned recognition as a McDonald’s All-American. His arrival at USC was met with high expectations, as fans and analysts alike hoped to see his talent translate to the collegiate level.
While this debut may not have met those expectations, there remains hope for Arenas to regain his form as he continues to recover and adapt to the rigors of college basketball. With a storied family legacy and a commitment to the game, the young athlete’s journey is far from over. As the Trojans look to bounce back, fans will be watching closely to see how Arenas develops in the coming games.
